Amusement device



Jan. 22, 1963 F. J. LUTZ AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed May 22, 1959 FIG. 2.

INVENTORI FELIX JOSEPH LUTZ ATTORNEY nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn I 3,074,717 Patented Jan. 22, 1963 3,074,717 AMUSEh ENT DEVECE Felix Joseph Lutz, Crawford t., Oil City, Pa. Filed May 22, 1959, Ser. No. 815,086 2 Claims. (Cl. 272-74) My invention relates to an amusement device and more particularly to a rotatable hoop for amusement purposes.

As is well known today various amusement devices have become exceedingly popular. Of the various hoop devices of which I am aware they have been intended only for use by a single person.

Accordingly, one object of my invention is to provide a new and improved hoop amusement device which may be simultaneously used by one or more persons.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved hoop amusement device which is rotatable and through which the operator may jump during such rotation.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a new and improved amusement device comprising an elongated hoop having handles extending laterally from the sides thereof to permit rotation of the hoop.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof and the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded plan view of an amusement device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an amusement device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevational and cross sectional view of the handle portion of the device as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 of another hoop device embodying the principles of my invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 of another hoop device embodying the principles of my invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be noted that an amusement device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention comprises a hoop 2 formed from any suitable material such as plastic rod or tubing having semicircular end portions 4 which are joined together by means of elongated substantially parallel side portions 6. As hereinafter described a handle 8 is secured to each of the side portions 6 which handles 8 extend laterally inwardly of the side portions 6. As shown, the handles 8 are each spaced in equal but opposite directions from the central horizontal axis of the hoop 2 so as to provide a crank arm between the handles 8. With the structure as heretofore described the handles 8 of the hoop 2 may be located in front of and grasped by the hands of a child or adult andoppositely directed forces exerted on the handles 8 whereby the hoop 2 will rotate. Or stated alternately, one handle 8 is pushed away and one handle 8 is pulled toward the holder to cause the hoop 2 to rotate. Once such rotation of the hoop 2 has been initiated the lower end portion 4 will move towards the holder so that the holder must jump off the ground to permit the lower end portion to pass under his elevated feet. This same jumping procedure must be repeated for the upper end portion 4 when it descends towards the ground. Thereafter the entire procedure will be repeated for each half turn of the hoop 2.

Although as heretofore described the hoop 2 is held forwardly of the operator, if desired, and after some practice the same result may be achieved by holding the hoop 2 behind the person. Nor is it necessary that the operator remain in the same spot as either forward or rearward progress may be simultaneously employed. In addition, the handles 8 are rotatable laterally of the side portions 6 so that they are locatable to extend outwardly of the hoop 2 (shown in dotted outline) so that each.

handle 8 may be grasped by a separate person. With such operation each person at the side of the hoop 2 causes the hoop 2 to be rotated while a third person jumps through the hoop 2. Of course, if desired, the handles 8 may be permanently secured to the hoop 2 in any desired position. For example, the handles 8 may be located to extend outwardly from each of the side portions 6 in the horizontal center thereof to facilitate the rotation of the hoop 2 by the person standing at the sides of the hoop 2.

In view of the simplicity of my structure, it will be realized that the hoop 2 may be manufactured in a large number of ways. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the hoop 2 may be formed from identical, generally J-shaped, oppositely disposed members each of which has parallel leg portions with one of the leg portions being longer than the other leg portion. Each leg portion of each J- shaped member is provided with an integral projection 16 at its outer end which are receivable in opposite ends of hollow cross bars 18 of oppositely disposed T-shaped handles 8, respectively. Each handle 8 has an integral solid or hollow stem 22. Thus, the two oppositely disposed J-shaped members have their leg portion received within the cross bars 18 of handles 8, respectively, with the stems 22 forming the handle portions of the hoop 2. In order to permit lateral rotation of the stems 22 the projections 16 are frictionally received within hollow cross bars 18. If a rigid structure is desired the projections 16 may be suitably glued or stapled to the leg portions of the J- shaped members.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of my invention in which a hoop 2' is formed from hollow tubing in the same manner as the hoop 2 previously described except the projection 16 is eliminated. A hollow or solid T- shaped handle 8' is provided of a size so that the hollow ends of the J-shaped members forming the hoop 2' are forced over the ends of the cross bar portion of the handle 8' so as to be frictionally held thereby. If desired, the tubing of the hoop 2' may be permanently secured to the cross bar portions of the handle 8. In FIG. 4 a T- shaped handle 8' is provided which has cylindrical projections 12 at each end of the cross bar portion. Each projection 12 is provided with a circumferential groove 14 intermediate its ends. In this embodiment a hoop 2" is provided which is similar to the hoop 2' and is additionally provided with an integral ring portion 10 which is located adjacent each free end of each tubing portion. With such structure the free ends of the tubing forming the hoop 2" are forced over the ends of the projection 12 so that ring portion 10 is slidably received within the groove 14. In addition to the above structures, it will readily be appreciated that the hoops 2, 2' and 2" may be formed by semi-circular members which are joined to handles such as handles 8, 8' and 8" which have elongated cross bar portions to form the side portions 6 of the hoops 2, 2' and 2", respectively. With such an elongated cross bar structure the stem portion of the T-shaped handles may be located at any desired location with respect to the cross bar portions.

Having described preferred embodiments of my invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be realized that modifications thereof, may be made with out departing from the broad spirit and scope of my invention. Accordingly, it is respectfully requested that my invention be interpereted as broadly as possible and as limited only by the prior art.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising, a hoop member having side portions, said hoop member having handle portions extending laterally from said side portions, respectively, and said handle portions being rotatable in planes extending laterally of said side portions, respectively, to be located to extend inwardly or outwardly of said side portions of said hoop member.

2. An amusement device comprising, a hoop member having elongated generally parallel laterally spaced side portions, said hoop member having handle portions extending laterally from said side portions, respectively, said handle portions being axially spaced from each other with respect to the longitudinal axes of said side portions,

and said handle portion being rotatable in planes extending laterally of said side portions, respectively, to be located to extend inwardly or outwardly of said side portions of said hoop member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 169,625 Crandall Nov. 9, 1875 1,503,348 Bruhn July 29, 1924 2,493,224 Brunt et a1 Jan. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 279,894 Germany Oct. 22, 1913 

1. AN AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING, A HOOP MEMBER HAVING SIDE PORTIONS, SAID HOOP MEMBER HAVING HANDLE PORTIONS EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID SIDE PORTIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND SAID HANDLE PORTIONS BEING ROTATABLE IN PLANES EXTENDING LATERALLY OF SAID SIDE PORTIONS, RESPECTIVELY, TO BE LOCATED TO EXTEND INWARDLY OR OUTWARDLY OF SAID SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID HOOP MEMBER. 